Assistant Manager

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as an Assistant Manager, Procurement? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the Panasonic Energy team today!

Meet the Recruiter: Princess Damato

Shift:

Monday-Friday

Department:

Procurement

Job Summary:

The Procurement Assistant Manager oversees the sourcing, negotiating, and procuring of quality products in our 24/7 high-volume, high speed manufacturing operation. Will assist in reducing costs, ensuring on time deliveries, and bringing in quality products by developing effective business strategies while remaining compliant with current policies and procedures.

Recognized procurement expert who can develop, plan, implement, and maintain leading edge sourcing strategies for a variety of indirect categories, such as Travel, Professional Services, Contingent Labor, MRO, injection-molded parts, manufacturing equipment and consumables, and facilities operations. The individual will focus exclusively on the Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA), which is dedicated to making the vision of affordable electrical vehicles for the masses a reality by producing the world’s safest, highest quality, and lowest cost batteries. PECNA operations, and thus this role, are co-located with Tesla Inc. in Sparks, Nevada. Will also serve as liaison between the PECNA business and corporate (headquarters) Procurement category managers and leadership in Newark, NJ.

Essential Duties:

Category Management

• Provide sourcing category expertise for all related categories including insourcing vs. outsourcing models
• Support development of category strategies based on rigorous analysis of spend data, supply market dynamics, category intelligence, and business requirements
• Leverage PECNA division volume in conjunction with other PNA businesses to obtain the best value for all, through coordination with corporate Procurement category leaders    
• Identify profit improvement opportunities beyond sourcing, such as demand management, process improvements, insource vs. outsource, innovation, etc.
• Actively drives value beyond cost – e.g., growth, innovation, risk management
• Regularly monitors the market for category leading practices and demand/supply shifts such as supply consolidation, technology innovations, etc.

Strategic Sourcing

• Execute strategic sourcing projects utilizing best practice sourcing methodology to deliver exceptional total value in partnership with key stakeholders across the business  
• Execute strategic sourcing initiatives following the 7-step Sourcing Methodology
• Gather stakeholder and subject-matter expertise/insights and market intelligence to ensure sourcing solutions meet business needs
• Assess supplier capabilities and identify new potential suppliers
• Analyze supplier proposals and facilitate fact-based supplier selection process
• Prepare and present business cases and should-cost models; perform complex data analysis and build financial models (i.e. ROI, NPV, supplier scorecards, savings tracking, make vs. buy decision models)
• Analyze and summarize RFP responses and results and prepare recommendations for Senior Management
• Develop negotiation strategies, plan and lead negotiations to maximize total value and minimize risks
• Establish contract terms and conditions and coordinate with legal to execute contracts with suppliers that optimize the relationship. Partner with internal stakeholders to develop and implement transition plans to new supplier(s)
• Ensure savings are delivered in a timely manner and that Panasonic realizes expected benefits
• Support PNA's supplier diversity and sustainability goals by increasing use or opportunity of suppliers in all commodity areas and by tracking opportunities to increase impact  

Supplier Relationship Management

• Establishes and manages the governance processes with suppliers and outsourced service providers for categories in scope
• Develop qualified, competitive sources of supply on a continuing basis through comprehensive financial and market review
• Lead local implementation of national, regional, or global supplier contracts. Establish expectations for local supplier teams and ensure that business needs will be met effectively.
• Provide feedback on performance, seek continuous improvement and innovation
• Work with suppliers and key stakeholders to manage supplier performance and develop new capabilities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and third-party providers
• When performance issues emerge, identify root causes and work with internal and external stakeholders to drive efficient resolution  

Continuous Improvement

• Work with teams post-projects to identify continuous improvement initiatives. Identify costs drivers to increase awareness and influence cost consciousness within the business.
• Identifies, oversees, pursues and manages re-engineering, value engineering and demand management opportunities to enhance operational effectiveness, interfacing with cross-functional teams
• Implements and drives procurement strategy, policies and procedures
• Enforces compliance to procurement policies and works to increase adoption  

Procurement Analysis

• Support value generation sourcing and process improvement initiatives to optimize PECNA third party spend across all related categories
• Conduct analysis in Excel, Tableau and other BI tools to support procurement activities including spend analytics, budget analysis, etc.
• Leverage spend analytics to identify consolidation opportunities; understand total cost of ownership and cost drivers, analyze product/service specifications to identify rationalization opportunities; analyze demand and spend to identify patterns and reduction opportunities
• Analyze market intelligence to build business cases and should-cost models to identify and quantify improvement opportunities for both sourcing and non-sourcing – e.g., demand management, process improvements, insource vs. outsource, etc.
• Gather requirements and specifications from business and category experts to ensure that proposed solutions meet business needs

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred:

Education

• Basic/Required: 
  • BS/BA degree in relevant area such as supply chain, business or STEM required.

• Preferred:
  • MBA and other relevant degree /certification (e.g., ISM CPSM) highly desirable.

Essential Qualifications

• 5 years+ of relevant strategic sourcing experience demonstrating success in positions of increasing complexity.
• Understanding of Lean Six Sigma concepts and participation in manufacturing process improvement
• Japanese language fluency highly desirable
• 5+ years of experience leading strategic sourcing and operational/value generating initiatives.
• Experience providing strategic sourcing strategies and directional guidance and integration across supply categories and supplier relationships to accomplish transformational business results and achieve best total value for the business.
• Demonstrated capability to develop, decide and execute category/commodity management strategies, supplier relationship management programs and activities, negotiations, risk management, and supply base performance management.
• Record of accomplishing cost saving targets, required quality, and improved service levels through leading negotiations and contracting in collaboration with cross-functional counterparts and stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, influencing, and communication skills, business acumen, and the ability to work in a team environment are also critical.
• Leadership Skills: to manage people and resolve conflicts while maintaining a positive work environment

Competencies

• Deep experience designing end-to-end procurement strategies and a track record of leading sustainable high impact sourcing approaches levering sourcing levers beyond tendering
• Experience with category management strategies for categories in scope: opportunity diagnostic, strategic sourcing process, supplier management with a proven track record of delivering business impact
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills; record of managing relationships across the business to achieve objectives
• Expert understanding of contract terms and techniques for driving additional value and managing risks
• Demonstrated analytical, financial, problem solving, organization, and project management skills
• Ability to support, lead, plan, and conduct successful negotiations
• Strong project management skills, including management of stakeholder timelines and meeting management skills
• Knowledge of and experience utilizing Supplier Management tools (SRM, conducting Quarterly Business Reviews, etc.)
• Technology-savvy and high competency in MS office: Advanced Excel and analytics skills as well as eSourcing, Ariba, etc.  
• Highly motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset; proactive and innovative. Able to work independently, i.e. not co-located with management.
• Experience working effectively in global complex organizations and with offshore providers
• Ability to lead and influence change in the face of complexity and ambiguity
• Thrives in a fast paced, goal oriented, dynamic organization with time sensitive deadlines
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills including meeting facilitation and presentations
• Ability to interact effectively and gain credibility with internal associates at all levels as well as external third parties.

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities: (Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to)

• Sit:                                                       40%
• Walk:                                                   30%
• Stand:                                                 20%
• Lift:                                                      10%

Required Lifting and Carrying: (Required frequency is:  Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)

• Up to 10 lbs.:                                       Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.:                                       Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.:                                       Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.):               Not Required

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You:

Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Highly inclusive and class-leading healthcare options to include family planning, mental health, and pet insurance
• Employee assistance programs that support total well-being with complimentary session offered each and every month
• Company-matched and fully vested 401K retirement program that starts immediately from date of enrollment
• Annual bonus program, High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Simplified access to self-guided and representative-supported short and long-term financial wellness and retirement planning
• Educational Assistance & Reimbursement Program
• Inclusion programs and associated employee resource groups that promote representation and belonging
• Leadership, career, and mentorship development programs opportunities at all levels across the organization
• Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events
• Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.
• Shuttle rides to and from work!

Where You'll Be:

For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

Who We Are:

Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us.

Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one.

As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs.

Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions.

We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.

In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

We Take Opportunity Seriously:

At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.

We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.

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